Our Valentine, Juliet

We spent the Sunday together, in typical French family fashion. At noon we met for brunch at Hotel Amour, a trendy hotel in Montmartre. They serve a self-styled "American" breakfast, with a definite French flavor. We sat on the charming glassed-in patio, on the first sunny day we've had in a long while. After brunch we walked the nearby streets; this area is of course famous for sex shops and, at one time, houses of prostitution, but is now becoming gentrified and newly hip. There are lots of unique shops and restaurants; and the streets are all very steep as they climb up to Sacre Coeur, the beautiful white church on a hill overlooking Paris. So it's a good workout after you've had your American brunch!

We didn't get back to Matt and Jeanne's apartment until 4:00, at which time some had to be fed while others needed naps. A very relaxing Sunday afternoon followed; soup was made, laundry was started, books were read and the Olympics viewed on the computer, which doubles as a TV for Matt and Jeanne. And we had tea and coffee and cakes, to tide us over until dinner.

Grandpa Tom got to change Juliet all by himself and he did a great job. The stress of helping with the bath was too much for him, however, and he let me handle that, as usual. Juliet loves being in the bath, but she absolutely hates getting in and coming out. She screams bloody murder both times! Oh, but after the bath she smells so sweet, and she has her jammies on and even though it tends to be her fussy time, we love to hold her and walk with her and sing to her. When she's super-fussy, I sing her the "walking around the apartment song" which seems to calm her down. It has a lot of verses about the coat rack and what's hanging there, and the book shelves and what kinds of books Mommy and Daddy have, and the kitchen with all the plates and cups and food and appliances. Or maybe it's the walking around the apartment that calms her down...

All in all a lovely day, with our darling Juliet as the centerpiece and spending time with her parents the wonderful bonus. Matthew will have to work hard again this week as his project is due Friday, so we may not see too much of him. But he and his Dad had a great chance to spend time together yesterday and today. A happy Valentine's Day for all.